Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil Freed After Judge Overrules ICE Detention

After spending over three months in federal detention, Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil walked free from an ICE facility in Jena, Louisiana, Friday evening.

Khalil, a green card holder and U.S. permanent resident originally from Algeria, was detained by ICE in New York back in March. He arrived in New Jersey post-release and shared emotional words with reporters: “The hundreds of men who are left behind me shouldn’t be there in the first place. The Trump administration are doing their best to dehumanize everyone here — whether you are a U.S. citizen, an immigrant or just a person on this land, doesn’t mean that you are less of a human.”

A federal ruling from U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered his release, overriding an earlier decision by an immigration judge who denied bond and ordered Khalil’s deportation. The Department of Homeland Security slammed Farbiarz’s decision, calling him “one rogue district judge” and claiming his order undermines national security and public confidence in the courts.

The release conditions, set by Magistrate Judge Michael Hammer, do not include electronic monitoring or immediate bond payment. Khalil must surrender his passport and limit travel to certain states.

During the hearing, the DOJ argued Khalil shouldn’t get his green card back, citing the deportation order. However, Judge Hammer sided with Khalil’s attorneys.

Khalil’s legal team contends his detention was politically motivated. “Retaliatory detention is the government’s goal,” said his attorney Alina Das, “as punishment for his speech and viewpoint.”